How To Install Tailgate Damper

[JimH]

Purchased my Tailgate Lock from Benny @LevittownFordParts.com

Their price is $31.39

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-tailgate-lock-by-mcgard-vkb3z18168a

I got mine from the Ford dealer where I bought my Ranger -- same price $31.39, used my remaining Ford Pass points plus a few bucks..

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[charwest]

Sexy sounds yes, hot squishing ones no. That sounds more like a personal problem. ?

what about loud groaning noises??

fer real though- our dampener started making super loud groaning noises a couple weeks ago. loud enough that people look at us from across the parking lot. i keep meaning to try lubing various bits with various lubes and see what worked, but based on this thread figured i would be lazy (?efficient) and just ask Dee Zee for advice.

their advice: no lube will work. its defective and they are sending a new one. backordered for a month. apparently this is a known problem.

interesting.

anyways, when it shows up, if anyone wants a tailgate dampener that really attracts attention to your being a dampener afficionado (AZScorpion, this is right up your alley) ill send it to you if you pay for shipping.

 

[AzScorpion]

what about loud groaning noises??

fer real though- our dampener started making super loud groaning noises a couple weeks ago. loud enough that people look at us from across the parking lot. i keep meaning to try lubing various bits with various lubes and see what worked, but based on this thread figured i would be lazy (?efficient) and just ask Dee Zee for advice.

their advice: no lube will work. its defective and they are sending a new one. backordered for a month. apparently this is a known problem.

interesting.

anyways, when it shows up, if anyone wants a tailgate dampener that really attracts attention to your being a dampener afficionado (AZScorpion, this is right up your alley) ill send it to you if you pay for shipping.

Did it rain recently? I had the same problem with that sound and it's not the damper but the plastic covering the tailgate pins. I just sprayed some lube in the 2 sides of the tailgate into the plastic covers and it's never happened again. Well,we don't get much rain here but it does take the noise away. Now you can keep your damper. ?

Edit: I think what's happening is dirt/dust is getting in there and after it gets wet it hardens up and creeks like and an old barn door.

 

[charwest]

Did it rain recently? I had the same problem with that sound and it's not the damper but the plastic covering the tailgate pins. I just sprayed some lube in the 2 sides of the tailgate into the plastic covers and it's never happened again. Well,we don't get much rain here but it does take the noise away. Now you can keep your damper. ?

ill try that out. it sounded like the damper but i admit i haven't done the lube elimination testing necessary. the one thing i thought correlated with the sudden increase in noise was the amount of road dust over everything. i dont remember any rain, but who knows. we had a few showers here and there.

we love our damper. when we are sleeping inside the bed, it is an acrobatic feat to open the tailgate from inside without the dampener (assuming you dont just want to let it fall).

if lube fixes the noise, maybe ill keep the new one and make it our hood ornament.

 

[charwest]

Ford sells a tailgate lock that prevents the tailgate from being removed. It's made by McGard. Like you, I will never remove the tailgate, so I installed the lock. You can remove it if you ever need to, it isn't permanent. Here's a link on eBay (this is what comes from Ford - for some reason, it's not on the McGard website: https://www.ebay.com/i/133346016552...1291&msclkid=adde536cf7621eca35790c0f330dfd68

interesting. after watching the install video i wonder i i can just put a ziptie on there or my own shim and a pipe clamp or something. i just want the improved ergonomics of defeating the slide, not really all that concerned about the tailgate getting stolen*. the product as sold is bulky enough that i suspect it would interfere with my current tailgate sealing gasket. ill have to go outside and poke around.

*even if i was, our locking topper liftgate would stop the tailgate from opening anyways while the truck is unattended.

 

[AzScorpion]

ill try that out. it sounded like the damper but i admit i haven't done the lube elimination testing necessary. the one thing i thought correlated with the sudden increase in noise was the amount of road dust over everything. i dont remember any rain, but who knows. we had a few showers here and there.

we love our damper. when we are sleeping inside the bed, it is an acrobatic feat to open the tailgate from inside without the dampener (assuming you dont just want to let it fall).

if lube fixes the noise, maybe ill keep the new one and make it our hood ornament

I just edited my last post about the dust. I'm out in the desert a lot and I don't have a tailgate seal so I'm guessing that's what's causing it. I noticed mine right after it rains but never after washing my truck. I too thought it was the damper and was spraying it down and it was still creeping. Gave the 2 hinge covers a shot and went away.

 

[Msfitoy]

Did it rain recently? I had the same problem with that sound and it's not the damper but the plastic covering the tailgate pins. I just sprayed some lube in the 2 sides of the tailgate into the plastic covers and it's never happened again. Well,we don't get much rain here but it does take the noise away. Now you can keep your damper. ?

Edit: I think what's happening is dirt/dust is getting in there and after it gets wet it hardens up and creeks like and an old barn door.

Squirting lube? Now I know how you deal with personal problems...oh sand in the V is a major issue and no amount of lube will help

 

[AzScorpion]

Squirting lube? Now I know how you deal with personal problems...oh sand in the V is a major issue and no amount of lube will help

You know, for once I don't have a come back. lol Well I do but then I'll get in serious trouble so.

 

[Msfitoy]

You know, for once I don't have a come back. lol Well I do but then I'll get in serious trouble so.

LOL...Ok let me stop there and stick to the topic or you'll have to bail me out again

All these cheap tailgate gas struts make some sound...I'll take that over the sudden BAM! anyday

 

[AzScorpion]

LOL...Ok let me stop there and stick to the topic or you'll have to bail me out again

All these cheap tailgate gas struts make some sound...I'll take that over the sudden BAM! anyday

You're right....Backtrack quickly!

Back on topic, tailgate dampers. Now to find the next victim. ?

 

[Figarou]

You're right....Backtrack quickly!

Back on topic, tailgate dampers. Now to find the next victim. ?

I'll do the opposite. The truck itself will be the victim. I'll secretly add a damper and wait nearby for their reaction when they open the tailgate. ?

I'll also do this.



LOL! ?

 

[Fastfitzy]

I'll do the opposite. The truck itself will be the victim. I'll secretly add a damper and wait nearby for their reaction when they open the tailgate. ?

I'll also do this.



LOL! ?

How are you going to solve for “F”

 

[BButah]

FWIW..... my carbon fiber damper was howling like a cat in heat!

Did the AZ Scorpion Lube Squirt and it stopped instantly!

From now on, I’ll refer to him as “Dr Damper”!
??

 

[Figarou]

How are you going to solve for “F”

That's where algebra kicks in. ?

f(x)=4

Edit...

Oops... I meant calculus

 

[charwest]

I just edited my last post about the dust. I'm out in the desert a lot and I don't have a tailgate seal so I'm guessing that's what's causing it. I noticed mine right after it rains but never after washing my truck. I too thought it was the damper and was spraying it down and it was still creeping. Gave the 2 hinge covers a shot and went away.

i got around to lubing the hinges. a few drops of teflon lube and a dozen cycles later and the groaning went away completely..

i lose cool points for
1) not doing this myself in the first place
2) not asking the forum before i called deezee

anyways. i guess the 'replacement' damper will be my hood ornament starting now.

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